determination of suitable conditions for shirazi thyme (zataria multiflora boiss. shiraz ecotype) seed germination

Shirazi thyme propagate through both vegetative and reproductive seed. seeds are tiny so that determination of optimal condition for germination and seedling establishment is totally important. shirazi thyme seeds were put in three substrate germination of top paper, between paper, and sand in 20, 25, 20-30ºc temperatures. germination tests were implemented by factorial analysis based on complete randomized design. analysis variance of different germination indices in different temperatures and substrate treatments illustrated that temperature and substrate interaction on rate index, mean germination time, r50, and time to reach 50% germination had significant difference at 1% and on indices of germination uniformity, time to reach 90% germination was significantly different at 5%. shirazi thyme seeds had higher germination at 20 and 25ºc than alternative temperature 20-30ºc. it was suggested that tp and bp substrates were chosen so as to increase germination rate in laboratory condition.